classics Archives

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

The Best PC Games of 2025 So Far (Spring Edition)

Spring 2025 has seen the release of several notable PC games, including: - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: Released on April 24, 2025, by Sandfall Interactive, it sold over 1 million copies in three days and features a blend of French art nouveau aesthetics and JRPG combat mechanics. - Monster Hunter Wilds: Released on February 28, 2025, by Capcom, it introduces full narrative integration and dynamic monster interactions. - The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered: Released on April 22, 2025, by Bethesda Game Studios, it attracted over 4 million players shortly after launch and features enhanced visuals and gameplay updates. Other early 2025 releases include: - Blue Prince (April 10, 2025) - Split Fiction (March 6, 2025) - Atomfall (March 27, 2025) - Assassin’s Creed Shadows (March 20, 2025) - Two Point Museum (March 5, 2025) - Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (January 23, 2025) - Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist (January 22, 2025) - Ninja Gaiden II Black (January 23, 2025) - The Talos Principle: Reawakened (April 10, 2025) Highly anticipated titles for later in 2025 include: - Grand Theft Auto VI (Late 2025) - Doom: The Dark Ages (May 15, 2025) - Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (August 28, 2025) - The Outer Worlds 2 (Expected 2025) - Borderlands 4 (September 12, 2025) - Marvel’s Blade (TBA 2025) - Hades II (Full Release later 2025) - Frostpunk 2 (Summer 2025) - Slay the Spire 2 (Early Access Expected 2025) - Anno 117: Pax Romana (Expected 2025) - Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 (October 2025) - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Expected 2025) - Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl (Expected 2025) In 2024, top-rated PC games included: 1. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree 2. Metaphor: ReFantazio 3. UFO 50 4. Tekken 8 5. Caves of Qud 6. Animal Well 7. Satisfactory 8. Balatro 9. Thank Goodness You’re Here! 10. The Last of Us Part II Remastered The PC gaming landscape in 2024 was characterized by significant hardware advancements, improved game integration and compatibility, and thriving online communities.

BetaBeacon

April 30, 2025

Epic Games for Android is bringing Flappy Bird back

Flappy Bird, a classic mobile game, is making a comeback on Android devices through the Epic Games Store app. The game will be available for free with in-game ads and ongoing support and updates. Players can access the Epic Games app on Android by downloading it directly from the company's website, bypassing the Google Play Store.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone hasn’t ‘really’ played a lot of other farming and life sims, but he appreciates the impact the game has had on the genre—’it seems to have inspired a lot more people to consider this kind of game’

Stardew Valley, released in 2016, has significantly influenced the farming simulator genre, leading to comparisons with new titles. Eric Barone, the creator of Stardew Valley, noted that he hasn't played many other farming games but mentioned Sun Haven and Graveyard Keeper as titles of interest. He expressed curiosity about Disney Dreamlight Valley due to its name, stating it resembles Animal Crossing more than Stardew Valley. Barone acknowledged that Stardew Valley has inspired many developers to create similar games, reflecting on his own gaming influences from titles like Harvest Moon, Rune Factory, and The Sims. He appreciates the resurgence of farming simulators and the creative wave it has generated in the industry.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

Get 93% off this 31-piece PC board games mega bundle, packed with classics

The Play for Miracles Humble Bundle offers 31 keys for acclaimed PC board games, curated by Twin Sails Interactive, at a discounted price of /£15.08, down from /£207. The bundle includes popular titles such as Terraforming Mars, Carcassonne, A Game of Thrones: The Board Game, Blood Rage, Splendor, Agricola, Isle of Skye, and The Lord of the Rings: Adventure Card Game. A lower-tier package is available for /£3.77, providing access to 10 games. Proceeds from the bundle support Humble, Twin Sails, and the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, which provides healthcare services for children in the USA and Canada.

AppWizard

April 27, 2025

I spent $3,000 on a PC only to play a $20 game. I have zero regrets

Building a personal computer can be expensive, especially with high-end graphics cards. The tendency to overspend, driven by fear of missing out (FOMO), can lead to exceeding budget constraints. The author initially set a budget of ,000 but ended up spending ,000 on a PC primarily for gaming. After upgrading from an Nvidia GTX 1060 to an RTX 4080, the author found that despite the powerful setup, their most-played game was the inexpensive Spelunky 2, which they played for over 600 hours, while high-profile games remained unfinished. The author reflects that a more modest setup could have sufficed and questions whether the extra spending on top-tier components was truly necessary.

AppWizard

April 27, 2025

Mucking with Movies: ‘A Minecraft Movie’

“A Minecraft Movie” has sparked a debate among younger audiences and has become popular with teenagers, largely due to Jack Black’s character, Steve, and his catchphrase “Chicken Jockey.” The film is compared to cult classics like “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and may find a place in cult film festivals. Casting director Rachel Tenner successfully paired Jason Momoa and Jack Black, whose chemistry is highlighted by director Jared Hess. Momoa plays Garret, a former arcade champion, and their interactions are comedic, although the film struggles with energy when they are not together. Black’s humor and Momoa’s voice add depth to their characters. The film opens with a monologue from Black, but suffers from pacing issues and underutilized subplots. It has a critic score of 7.5/10 and has successfully engaged young audiences, making it a family-friendly entertainment option.

AppWizard

April 26, 2025

The ever-gorgeous Capcom classic Breath of Fire 4 is back on PC, alongside a little sprucing up

Breath of Fire 4, originally launched on PlayStation 1 in 2000 and released on PC in 2003 in Japan and Europe, has been revived through GOG's preservation program, making it accessible on Windows 10 and 11. GOG has enhanced the game with new display options, upgraded the audio engine, and ensured it is DRM-free. GOG's preservation program has also revived other classic titles such as Ultima Underworld 1+2, Worms: Armageddon, and Tex Murphy: Under a Killing Moon.

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

A Strangely Gorgeous Puzzle Game Is Free On PC For A Limited Time

The Epic Games Store is offering the game Chuchel for free until May 1. Developed by Amanita Games, Chuchel is an absurd puzzle game featuring a fluffy orange ball named Chuchel on a quest to obtain a cherry, facing challenges from a mischievous pink bug and a large hand. Players solve one-screen puzzles by interacting with various objects in a whimsical manner, prioritizing exploration and experimentation. The game features psychedelic visuals and playful animations, appealing particularly to younger audiences, though its sensory overload may not suit everyone. Chuchel offers a gameplay experience lasting approximately two hours.

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

25 Years Later, This Cult-Classic Capcom JRPG Has Been Modernized For PC

Breath of Fire 4 has been re-released by GOG as a new PC port that is DRM-free and optimized for Windows 10 and 11. The game features both English and Japanese localizations and supports modern controllers, including the Sony DualSense. Enhancements include restored sound effects, new rendering options, and fixes for previous crashing issues. Originally launched for PlayStation in 2000, this is the second PC port, following the first in 2003. The game's story involves two isolated continental powers and the protagonist Ryu, who can transform into a dragon, as he seeks to stop an immortal emperor. GOG has also been expanding its game preservation program, which started in November 2024, and allows community voting on classic titles for revival.

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

Capcom’s wonderful Breath of Fire 4 is finally available digitally thanks to GOG—I just wish it wasn’t quite so faithful to a 22-year-old port

GOG's game preservation program, launched in November, has curated over 100 titles to ensure classic games run smoothly on modern hardware and provides technical support for buyers. A recent addition is Capcom's PC port of Breath of Fire 4, which is now available digitally for the first time. The game features a captivating narrative, artwork, and a fishing minigame, but its port lacks unique enhancements and is considered inferior to other versions. Despite GOG's updates for controller support and technical issues, the experience is similar to the original PlayStation version. GOG claims this is the best PC version of Breath of Fire 4, though it is the only available PC port.